WASHINGTON -
Three Georgetown University men's soccer players were selected in the 2013 Major League Soccer SuperDraft on Thursday in Indianapolis, Ind. Defender Tommy Muller was the 15th overall pick in the draft by the San Jose Earthquakes making history as the first Hoya to be selected in the first round. Midfielder Ian Christianson was the 22nd overall pick going to the New York Red Bull, and defender Jimmy Nealis was selected 37th overall by the Houston Dynamo.

"This senior class has been a driven group from day one," said Georgetown Head Coach Brian Wiese. "They've improved their ability, but I believe it's their character that made our success and is what will give them individual success at the next level. I'm thrilled they all have the opportunity to have a long, professional career."

Muller was part of a talented backline that posted 10 shutouts in 2012. In his career on the Hilltop, he appeared in 64 games with 59 starts and tallied four goals as well as four assists for 12 points as a two-year captain. Muller was a Third Team All-BIG EAST honoree this past season.

Christianson is one of the most decorated players in Georgetown history. He received a total of four NSCAA and College Soccer News All-American honors, was a three-time NSCAA All-Northeast Region honoree and named All-BIG EAST for the past three seasons. He started 77 of 78 career games played and finished with 14 goals and 10 assists for 38 points.

This past season, the midfielder had two goals and two assists as a two-time team captain.

Nealis was a NSCAA All-Region honoree for the second time in his career. The team captain was a two-time All-BIG EAST award winner with two goals and 15 assists in his career on the Hilltop. Nealis started in 71 of the 83 games he appeared in for the Hoyas.

The 2012 senior class, including Muller, Christianson and Nealis, was the most successful class in program history. Their arrival sparked a turning point for the program as they have helped move the Hoyas into an elite class and took the team to the national championship game.

Through a national championship game appearance, a trip to the College Cup, two NCAA Tournament berths, a trip to the BIG EAST Championship game, a two BIG EAST Regular Season Championship, four-consecutive BIG EAST Tournament berths and a presence in the national rankings, including moving into the top 10 this season ranking as high as No. 3 they made their mark at Georgetown. Over four years, the seniors combined for a record of 50-23-11 overall and 24-12-1 in BIG EAST play.

In the classroom, all three are on track to graduate on time with Muller and Nealis completing coursework in December, 2012.

All three players attended the MLS Combine last week which marked the first time under Wiese that Hoyas were invited to the event and the first time a Georgetown player participated since 2004.

Prior to this year, Georgetown had only six players in program history drafted. The highest was Jeff Curtin in 2006 who was drafted 14th overall in the second round by the Chicago Fire. The Hoyas have never had multiple players drafted in the same year.

The last Hoya to be drafted was Ricky Schramm who was selected 37th overall in the third round of the 2007 draft by D.C. United.

The MLS Supplemental Draft will be held on Tuesday, and GU midfielder Andy Riemer is projected to be among those selected.

"These guys have blazed a trail for what we want from a Georgetown player," said Wiese. "They came here to get a world-class education and to play in an environment that will get them to the next level. Here at Georgetown, they really got the best of both worlds."